Today, men’s health charity Movember has announced the Irish ambassadors for their 'Lockdown, Shavedown, Get Down' campaign, an initiative to encourage healthy conversations surrounding men's mental health.

This year, the men’s charity is teaming up with celebrity TV broadcaster Darren Kennedy, rugby player Harry McNulty, stylist Lawson Mpame, Men’s Circle Facilitator Darragh Stewart and coach Pat Divily, to help make positive steps towards men speaking up, should they or someone close to them be struggling.

At its roots, 'Lockdown, Shave Down, Get Down' is a moustache-themed bat signal; a call to others to sign up and join the movement. The campaign is kicking off on October 30^th this year.

“I’ve long admired the incredible work of Movember," says Darren Kennedy, "so naturally I’m very excited to be an ambassador for this year’s campaign. The pandemic has really challenged my own mental and physical health. And I know I’m not alone in feeling it. Our communal mental, emotional and physical health has taken a battering this year as a result. For me, throwing myself into the Irish Sea has been a real tonic – both mentally and physically. Anything that encourages a conversation, encourages guys who might be struggling to reach out for help or just have a chat with a mate can be a lifesaver.”

In addition, stylist Lawson Mpame said, “I am very honoured to be a Movember ambassador this year, Movember and the incredible guys who are part of this community helped me at a time when I needed it most and when I was at my lowest point in life. So it's truly amazing that I can do my part to help other men out there this year and help stop men dying young, especially at the difficult time we are currently living in.”

You can sign up for and donate to the Movember campaign at their website.